Berry season always has a way of reminding me how truly sinful I am. For those of you who are scratching your heads a bit, allow me to explain. Our summer time of year is dawn until dusk; our crunch time; the “six week marathon” if you will. In all actuality it ends up being a June through August sort of race, full of many an emotion and many a lesson. My husband (along with so many other tremendous ones actually working the harvest) is the star of our family’s show. He’s got a gold medal in my book and I am so proud of all that he gives physically and emotionally to the tasks in his care.
And then there’s me.
I guess some may have heard me say that I’m just the cheerleader. The one on the sidelines holding a foam finger and a big sign that says “Go, Daddy Go! We miss you so!” I laugh writing this though because I’m a pretty sorry cheerleader alot of the time. I get tired, upset easily, less patient, and tend to look down at my own belly button the farther we get into the marathon of sorts.
But you know what, friends? Here’s the thing about the whole thing: BUT GOD. Yep, that’s right. Ain’t no awards being given out to this runner because she’s not doing it alone. If the story ended with me, with how I just get through the busy, stressful time and come out on the other side, berry season would be lost on me. I’ll get to September and you know what? I’ll get the husband back at home and I’ll still be weary, and I’ll still be impatient. Because those things are in my heart. So today, reflecting on a realistically short but taxing time, I say this:: BUT GOD. His mercy is the big deal and it’s the only reason we finish the race unscathed.
“I was dead in my transgressions
Wandering in sin
I went searching for redemption
Down a road that had no end
I was walking through the fire
I was living on the run
With my flesh lost in desire
I was drowning in the flood
BUT GOD, rich in mercy
You came to save me
Now I’m alive” (Big Daddy Weave)